Who is your favorite blues artist?

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 01:25 PM

What!?   No one gonna mention Odetta?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSDeROnTq64

What about this from Mahalia Jackson typically gospel but what about this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc2vVPV_ZTQ&feature=related
Well maybe more jazz than blues. But thrilling. What did she do in St Louis Blues?

BTW I like Billie Holiday too.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Silver Slug
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 12:59 PM

Most of my generation in the UK would never have gotten into the blues if it hadn't have been for the likes of John Mayall, Johnny Winter and other white blues artists of the time. It's thanks to them that I came to appreciate the likes of Robert Johnson, BB King, Bessie Smith and the other greats. And if they tried to sound like the people who inspired them to play the music in the first place, then so what!
My personal favourite will always be Peter Green, who made BB King shiver!

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:50 AM

Lonnie Johnson
Blind Willie McTell
Sam Chatmon
Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry
Rev. Gary Davis
Blind Boy Fuller
Leadbelly
Paul Geremia
Roy Book Binder
Andy Cohen
Bob Suckiel
Mary Flower
John Hammond
Dave Van Ronk
Mississippi John Hurt
Mance Lipscomb
Spider John Koerner
Eric Von Schmidt.....

The list could go on and on and on and on..........

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 10:33 AM

Ma Rainey

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Elmore
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 09:35 AM

Favorite white blues artists:Dave Van Ronk,Paul Rishell, Andy Cohen.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,'buked and scorned
Date: 17 Nov 08 - 09:07 PM

Without any doubt....Lightnin' Hopkins.

Not the entire catalog, but the ones that do speak to me, speak volumes. Some haunting stuff to be found in his rambling. Sho' nuff.

Thanks Lightnin'

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,maire-aine
Date: 07 Feb 07 - 11:44 AM

Several people have already mentioned Memphis Minnie, and I'd like to add Ruth Brown, who passed recently.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 07 Feb 07 - 11:36 AM

I am never out of tune! I have perfect pitch! And I won't put up with pale(!)imitations - life is too short!

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Joe_F
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 08:27 PM

Eric von Schmidt of blessed memory.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Mr. bourgeois
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 06:24 PM

Tunesmith, you sound like you are totally out of tune.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 10:13 AM

First, yes The Beatles did sing - or try to - in American accents, but they must have seen the error of their ways as the American influence clearly diminished over time. And, yes, I think it's rather silly for "teachers" to try to sing like some 90 year old rural character.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 10:07 AM

Where will it end, how do you feel about teachers who try to sing like illiterate miners and farm workers?

Value your artists for not burying their talents in a field, but working and trying to do something with it. Its the natuire of art that some people have more supporters than others.

If this is how a person spends his life rather than beating up old folk, and selling drugs, and planning multiple murders or sitting mindlessly in front of the television - just what does it take to earn a nod of approval.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Wesley S
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 09:07 AM

"My "problem" arises with white singers doing "impersonations" of black artists."

For the sake of argument - do you feel the same way about English performers {The Beatles come to mind} that sing like Americans?

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 05:50 AM

Does it bloody matter? You do what you can. Some artists find they have an affinity with water colours, others with oils, some with electrocuting fish in public.

The miniscule differences between Derek Brimstone and Martin Carthy and Bob Copper have kept an entire army of busybody thought police of the folk music movement happy as Larry - dissing whichever side they didn't like.

They would have been better occupied trying to inject a little creativity into their own lives - rather slinging verbal shit at hardworking musicians.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 04:59 AM

Good morning, Tunesmith.
Exeffingactly !! Here we go again. If singers didn't mimic the voices of other singers then hardly anybody would sing !
Not just Folk and Blues but what about Opera ?
The different social, cultural and geographical backgrounds of characters in Opera couldn't be more different from those of the performers.
This sort of thing has been dealt with on other threads but I find it fascinating.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 03:54 AM

Again, here we go! It is very important that one reads postings very carefully! White men can sing the blues! I have no problem with that! My "problem" arises with white singers doing "impersonations" of black artists. I would agree that some do it very, very well. I remember the first time I saw Jo Anne Kelly ( Bunjies, July 1966 ). I was amazed! BUT, I feel an artist must find their own voice - which should be a recogniseable extention of their own speaking voice - and not mimick the voices of singers from a very different social, cultural and geographical background

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 11:23 PM

Favorite: Bessie Smith. Runners-up: Billie Holiday, Etta Baker, Ma Rainey.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Mr. Bourgeois
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 10:55 PM

I'll put a plug in for Ry Cooder. A blues slide guitarist whose merits cannot be argued. I would also like to take the opportunity in this thread to salute the late Paul Butterfield, a blues harmonica virtuoso and singer in his own right.

Who said middle class caucasin kids can't grow up and perform the blues? Probably the same dope who says Afro American girls from lower class environments can't grow up and become opera singers such as the outstanding diva herself Grace Bumbry.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 10:13 PM

Nobody's mentioned him, and I know that a lot of purists (who never heard his earlier stuff) scorn him, bu Josh White has to be one of the shining stars in the blues galaxy.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 09:40 PM

If you really revere the black performers, perhaps you will take a word of advice from the great Son House who famously said, Nothing I hate worse than hearing a man's music being criticised......

If you listen more carefully to Mr Hammond, I think you will hear someone trying for self expression, using the techniques that he has chosen.   He's also worked bloody hard to put together what he has done.

theres just too much of this on Mudcat. People deriding a lifetime's effort of creativity. A few weeks ago, we had some idiot talking about Ewan MacColl in utterly disparaging tones.

If WE can't show a bit of respect for people of ability who do their damndest to produce something, what hope is there for the greater society out there.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 02:59 PM

John Hammond Jr was a rich, middle-class white kid trying to sound like a dirt poor working-class black man from the Deep South! That says it all!

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Wesley S
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 02:02 PM

I read your post which is why I replyed. You are welcome to your opinion - I just don't happen to agree with it. I'll cite both John Hammond Jr, Geoff Muldaur and Steve James as modern day performers who play blues with feeling and passion. If you doen't enjoys their artistry that's fine. It's just a shame that you've dismissed a lot of excellent performers. IN MY OPINION - which you are welcome to disagree with - the "blues" is not defined by a date or the color of the performers skin.

PS - In my CD player today - Bukka White recorded in 1937 and 1940. Powerful stuff.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 01:23 PM

Read the posting properly!!! I didn't say that white men couldn't sing the blues. I said that I didn't like white men singing the blues with phoney, black affectations! i.e. trying to sound like they come from Mississippi, when, for example, they come from the UK or Boston, USA! But, I will maintain that no white singer has the power or command of the singers that I cited in my original posting. Strangely, it is a women, Bonnie Raitt, who, to my ears, comes closest - as a white person.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 12:49 PM

just somebody trying to be controversial. Don't waste your time.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Wesley S
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 11:58 AM

Tunesmith - The old "whitemen can't sing the blues" argument? In a word - hogwash. I won't try to convince you that you're mistaken so let's just agree to disagree. Since after all - like the lady said who kissed the cow - it's all just a matter of taste.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 10:15 AM

Too many to mention, but . . .

Charlie Patton
Curley Weaver
Skippy James
Lonnie Johnson
Robert Johnson
Willie McTell
Blind Lemon Jefferson

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 09:39 AM

Paul Kossoff.

Resistance is futile....

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 09:30 AM

Nice to see a mention of Kenny Duchaine, the first American bluesman I saw when I started visting my local club after I retired. He hasn't been back since though he still tours UK each year. Got a couple of his CDs.

RtS

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: redsnapper
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 09:29 AM

I am ashamed!

I should have mentioned Jo-Ann Kelly too specially as she was a friend!

RS

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 04 Feb 07 - 03:42 PM

I can't stand white lads singing "de blues", and there are so many of them! No white person can match the pre-war vocal power of Son House, Robert Johnson and Skip James; and, no white person can match the post-war power of Buddy Guy or Otis Rush. Having said that! I'm a big Bonnie Raitt fan. Instrumentally, maybe I'll concede that a few white lads can produce the goods.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Feb 07 - 02:05 PM

My favourite guy was a chap called Gerry Lockran, who died a few years ago. he used to play the English folk clubs. He had an old Martin, but in later years opted for an Ovation.

He was Indian/Celtic - Scottish or Irish - and originally he was Loughran. he had a stunning guitar tone, the whole room would be rocking from the just the first bluesy phrase thats seemed to hang in the air. he also had a deep growling voice, and he was a beautiful looking guy.

There is a good reminisence of him and one or two pictures in Derek Brimstones second volume of autobiography. His son Jason has put a website about him together. I suppose he was one of those geniuses the English folkscene throws up occasionally.

if you are interested in the subject of blues singer/guitarists, I should like to mention occasional contributor to Mudcat, Elijah Wald. he has written a most remarkable book about the late Josh White - which is utterly fascinating reading.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Fred Bailey
Date: 04 Feb 07 - 12:18 PM

anybody know "Rabbit Brown" ?
fantastic lyrics
been on his trail for awhile

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Leadbelly
Date: 04 Feb 07 - 10:45 AM

Apart from almost all artists mentioned Abi (Abraham) Wallenstein. Living in Hamburg, Germany he's doing a fascinating job on his 12-string guitar over more than 40 years now.

Manfred

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Wayne
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 01:18 PM

Kent Duchaine

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Scoville
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 12:38 PM

Anyone for Ma Rainey? Rough but interesting, too. I'd love to know what she would have sounded like with newer recording technology.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 12:31 PM

Vi Redd didn't record much, (I only know of one album, Lady Soul. I think it came out before Aretha started using that title) but she had an amazing voice and could vocalize like no one else. She also cooked on the alto sax.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Deckman
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:33 AM

MudCatter Reggie Miles, of Sultan, Washington

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: JennyO
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:25 AM

Lucky you, Charlie! I haven't had the opportunity to see any of them live. I just love listening to the music.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:19 AM

JennyO-

Thanks for mentioning Big Bill Broonzy.

I still have fond memories of attending my first blues concerts way down to Boston, featuring Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, back in the early 1960's. I don't have a clue what the concert hall was, either Brookline or Cambridge. That was a 3-hour drive one-way from Maine in those days.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Homeless
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:53 AM

Sonny & Terry.
Although as far as composers go, I frequently find that songs I especially enjoy are credited to Willie Dixon, no matter who the artist covering it is.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: John Hardly
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:47 AM

First time I ever heard the CD "Just Won't Burn" you could have wrung what was left of me into a very small saucer.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Alba
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:37 AM

Susan Tedeschi is a mighty fine performer John.
I have been an admirer of her voice/music for some time now.
Jude

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: John Hardly
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:06 AM

Chris Smither, though I've lately been listening to Susan Tedeschi a lot.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: GUEST,buspassed
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 06:22 AM

Thanks JennyO, someone at last mentions Big Bill Broonzy! The Man!!!

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 05:32 AM

Most of them... but Fred McDowell of the men and Bessie Smith of the women stand out.

RtS

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: JennyO
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 05:03 AM

Oh - where to start?

I love the old blues artists, like Bessie Smith, Lightnin' Hopkins, Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, then there's Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and BB King.

Then of course, there's Sidewalk Bob (Bobert) - love his stuff!

Probably lots of others that I've forgotten too.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 04:11 AM

Some stuff about Jo-Ann (who I knew slightly, but my late wife Jacqui and her first husband Barry knew rather better - to the extent that Jo-Ann and Jacqui would swap maternity and baby clothes according to the state of budding) is here Jo-Ann Kelly

Now is there an argument about whether she was a blues singer or a revivalist? Grin.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Alec
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 03:20 AM

I thought it was one of Peace's better ones Azizi.
Peace, I doff my hat in your general direction.

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 01:20 AM

It took me a moment {okay, more than a moment}, but I finally "got" Peace's referent to Picasso's blue period .

Picasso sure does give added meaning to the referent "blues artist".

Subject: RE: Who is your favorite blues artist?
From: Wordsmith
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 12:21 AM

When I first started reading this thread, I immediately thought: BB King, then Etta James, Roy Buchanan, Janis, surprised me, but I thought Ian, and then Joplin. John Lee Hooker, yes. I was amazed to see Reinhardt and Grappelli, but then "Minor Swing" is my favorite song of theirs, and it's kind of bluesy. I see I have a lot more names to sample from above. Although, I recognize a few more. Thanks.